[Musoman]

ID-ing Gulls gives me a headache

They look so similar, but the best i can do is Juvenile Yellow Legged or Juvenile Herring

Am i close ?

cheers

[lostinjapan]

A 2nd calendar year Greater Black-backed Gull.

[Musoman]

Really ? My God

I've never seen even an adult before

Cheers LIJ

[lou salomon]

i'd disagree with sean here. it looks to be a 2cy yellow-legged gull: it has 2nd generation inner greater coverts and median coverts, which is extremely unlikely in GBBG. "window" (paler inner primaries) looks strong due to bleached juv primaries but outer webs are darker than inners. tail is better for YLG also.

cheers

[Musoman]

When i checked my Bible - the YLG was my first thought, mainly due to the fact that the Reserve i was on have YLG's but no GBBG's

[lostinjapan]

Originally Posted by lou salomon

i'd disagree with sean here. it looks to be a 2cy yellow-legged gull: it has 2nd generation inner greater coverts and median coverts, which is extremely unlikely in GBBG. "window" (paler inner primaries) looks strong due to bleached juv primaries but outer webs are darker than inners. tail is better for YLG also.

cheers

I agree the thick tail band is certainly better for YL Gull for a bird of this age, as you'd expect it to be far more diffuse for GBBG.

Just something about this bird seemed to scream large enough for GBBG with its large bill & bulky size. Guess that is too subjective in a photo.

I think the other features such as the 'window' on the primaries & 2nd generation coverts are possible on GBBG...but relent it is most likely YL Gull with that tail band.

Where was this picture taken out of interest?

Sean

[Musoman]

Farmoor reservoir ( oxfordshire )